We deeply regret the verdict of the Court against Doğu Perinçek. He is convicted for having voiced his views in the framework of freedom of expression which every individual is supposed to enjoy in a free and democratic country where the rule of law prevails. Moreover, his views have been found contrary to a controversial article of the Swiss Penal Code in a court case initiated upon the complaint lodged by the Swiss-Armenian Association. The Court has interpreted the article in line with the allegations put forward by the plaintiff.

In the baseless and undoubtedly disputed case against Mr. Perinçek, the Court has reached such a decision despite statements made by a number of officials and judicial authorities that the claims of the plaintiff cannot be taken up within the framework of article 261b of the Swiss Penal Code. This raises many questions. The verdict is totally unacceptable for the Turkish people. We have especially refrained from making any statement and comment about the case from the beginning of the legal procedure until the decision was taken, with a view to not interfering in justice. We only have stated our belief that the impartial Swiss judicial system would take a just decision. On the other hand, the same care has not been shown by others. In this regard, one-sided programmes have been aired on Swiss TV, the press has reflected the matter in line with the propaganda of the plaintiff, and Mr Perinçek has been presented as a “denier” even before the decision. It seems that everything was done in order to affect the verdict and this is regrettable.

We expect that during the next phases of the judicial procedure, this injustice will be corrected by the impartial and independent judges and courts, which we wish to believe that exist in Switzerland.